Psychological Assessment (Diagnosis) pt.1

Testing

Refers to everything from the administration of the test to the interpretation of the tests scores

Psychological Testing

The process of measuring psychology-related variables through devices or procedure designed to obtain a sample of behavior

Psychological Testing

A systematic procedure of obtaining samples of behavior, relevant to cognitive, affective or interpersonal functioning, and for scoring and evaluating those samples according to standards.

Testing

It is a broad term and can refer to anything.

It can refer to psychological testing, medical testing—it can apply to different fields.

Psychological Testing

Similar to testing, but more specific since it focuses on psychology-related behavior variables or constructs.

Examples include personality, attitude, life satisfaction, intelligence, etc.

Since we cannot assess the entire population, we only take a sample. We infer constructs from the sample.

Assessment

Entails behavioral observation and active integration by assessors of test scores and other data

Assessment

In assessment, we not only use testing but also other sources of data, such as observation, checklists, interviews, etc.

We gather data from multiple sources and actively integrate the results with one another. We do this to arrive at a comprehensive conclusion or evaluation regarding the question we aim to answer about the person we are assessing.

Psychological Assessment

It is the gathering and integration of Psychology-related data for the purpose of making a psychological evaluation.

Testing

Typically, to obtain some gauge, usually numerical in nature, with regard to an ability or attribute

Assessment

Typically, to answer a referral question, solve a problem or arrive at a decision through the use of tools of evaluation

Testing

___ may be individual or group by nature. After test administration, the tester will typically add up "the number of correct answers of the number of certain types of responses, with little if any regard for the how or mechanics of such content" (Maloney and ward, 1976 p. 39)

Assessment

____ is typically individualized, in contrast to testing. Assessment more typically focuses on how an individual processes rather than simply the result of that processing

Testing

When you want to measure something.

Example: How conscientious is a person?

Assessment

A referral question can be anything.

Example: Does this individual have a mental health disorder? Will this child function in a typical classroom setting? Does this person have the capacity for proper decision-making?

individual or group

Testing may be _____ by nature. After test administration, the tester will typically add up "the number of correct answers of the number of certain types of responses, with little if any regard for the how or mechanics of such content" (Maloney and ward, 1976 p. 39)

individualized

Assessment is typically _____, in contrast to testing. Assessment more typically focuses on how an individual processes rather than simply the result of that processing

Testing

The tester is not key to the process, practically speaking, one tester may be substituted for another tester without appreciably affecting the evaluation

Assessment

The assessor is key to the process of selecting test and/or other tools of evaluation as well as in drawing conclusions from the entire evaluation

assessor is key

In assessment, the ______ to the process of selecting test and/or other tools of evaluation as well as in drawing conclusions from the entire evaluation

tester is not key

In testing, the ____ to the process, practically speaking, one tester may be substituted for another tester without appreciably affecting the evaluation

Testing

There are psychological tests that can be administered individually (e.g., most intelligence tests), but there are also psychological tests that should be conducted in groups.

Assessment

Done one-on-one.

It is important to observe the process.

If done in a group, it becomes difficult for the assessor to take note of nonverbal behaviors or cues, which may provide insight into the state of the assessee.

Testing

Since the tester is not key to the process, even if a different person administers the first part of the test and another person administers the second part, it will not significantly affect the test or its results.

Assessment

In order for the assessor to come up with a comprehensive answer to the referral question, they need to be deeply involved in the assessment process.

technician like skills

Testing typically requires _____ in terms of administering and scoring a test as well as in interpreting a test result

Testing

____ typically requires technician like skills in terms of administering and scoring a test as well as in interpreting a test result

Assessment

____ typically requires an educated selection of tools of evaluation, skill in evaluation, and thoughtful organization and integration of data

Testing

Psychometric skills involve having knowledge of how to administer, score, or interpret a test.

Understanding concepts such as reliability, validity, etc.

testing

Typically, ____ yields a test score or series of test scores

test score or series of test scores

Typically, testing yields a _____

assessment

Typically, ____ entails a logical problem-solving approach that brings to bear many sources of data designed to shed light on a referral question.

referral question

Typically, assessment entails a logical problem-solving approach that brings to bear many sources of data designed to shed light on a ______.

Psychological Traits and States Exist

Psychological traits exist as constructs—they are intangible (we cannot see, hear, or touch them), but we can infer their existence through overt behavior. That is why, when conducting psychological tests, we gather behavior samples through the questions or items that individuals answer.

Construct

An informed scientific concept developed to describe or explain a particular behavior.

Example: Intelligence, Extroversion.

Psychological Traits and States can be Quantified and Measured

Psychological tests exist because we can quantify or measure these traits or constructs.

Example: We can quantify intelligence, personality traits, etc.

Although they are not tangible, we now have the ability to infer them.

Psychological Traits and States can be Quantified and Measured

The construct we are measuring should be carefully defined.

In order to understand what the score means, we need to understand the meaning of the construct in the context of the psychological test—specifically, how the author or test developer defined it. This helps us better interpret the score.

The definition of a construct may vary depending on the psychological test. (For example, the construct of conscientiousness might have a different meaning in Bianca's test compared to Jay's test.)

Test-Related Behavior Predicts Non-Test Related Behavior

Test results can be used to predict a behavior or even a past behavior that was not directly covered by the test conducted.

Example: A conscientiousness score can be used to predict performance outcomes or job satisfaction.

Performance outcomes or job satisfaction are not directly measured by the conscientiousness test itself; they are not explicitly included in the test.

Tests and Other Measurement Techniques Have Strength and Weaknesses

No psychological test is perfect; each has its strengths and weaknesses.

Various Sources of Error are Part of the Assessment Process

Always remember that error is always a part of the test or assessment process.

It is something we cannot completely control; however, while we cannot eliminate error, we can minimize it. This is why standardization is important (for example, if Tester 1 undergoes a certain type of environment or process, Tester 2 should go through the same).

Testing and Assessment can be Conducted in a Fair and Unbiased manner

One way to maintain fairness and avoid bias is by using a test only for its intended population.

Consider cultural aspects and the appropriate age range.

Psychological tests should only be used for the individuals they are designed for:

If a test is validated for adults, it should not be used for teenagers.

If a test is validated for Americans, it cannot be automatically applied to Filipinos.

Testing and Assessment benefits Society

Tests and assessments serve a specific purpose.

Criterion-Referenced Tests

In order for Sinag to pass the board exam and have her license, she needs to at least attain an overall percentage of 75% among the four subjects. This is an example of:

Criterion-Referenced Tests

Evaluating an individual's test score on the basis of whether or not some criterion has been met or not with reference to a standard

Ex. passing in school; driver's license

Criterion-Referenced Tests

Test scores are evaluated based on whether they meet the standard or criterion—did they meet it or not?

It does not take into account whether someone scored higher, lower, or the same as you. The focus is solely on determining if the standard was met.

Example: In school, to pass, you need a General Weighted Average (GWA) of 75 by the end of the school year. If you meet that, you pass—regardless of whether others received the highest honors. If you meet the standard, you pass; if not, you don't.

Norm-Referenced Tests

A method of evaluation and a way of deriving meaning from test scores by evaluating an individual test taker's score and comparing it to scores of a group of test takers.

Norms

test performance data of a particular group of test takers that are designed for use as a reference when evaluating individual test scores.

Norm-Referenced Tests

The score obtained is not evaluated through a criterion (whether you meet the standards or not). Instead, we evaluate the individual's test score by comparing it to the norms we have.

Norms

are data from the group performance of a group that was tested previously, and we use the test data from that group to evaluate the test score or provide a reference for your standing.

Norm-Referenced Tests

Usually, intelligence tests are _____.

Norm-Referenced Tests

Example: In the NMAT, there is no pass or fail, but your score is given in percentiles. Even if you don't reach the 75th percentile, as long as your score falls within the norms, you can still be admitted to medical school.